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| Superman |
Warner Bros. Pictures
Cast: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, Skyler Gisondo, Sara Sampaio, Maria Gabriela de Faria, Wendell Pierce, Alan Tudyk, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Neva HowellMusic: John Murphy
Cinematography: Henry Braham
Producers: Peter Safran, James Gunn
Duration: 129 Minutes
Written and Directed by: James Gunn
New film, new face—another opportunity from Hollywood for the ever-returning figure of the superhero—arguably the most iconic character in pop culture, if not history. After a patchy filmography, what does James Gunn bring to the table to make us care about his Superman and his airborne struggles?
Superman (David Corenswet) loses a battle and crashes in a vast snowy field, struggling to speak, bruised and barely able to let out a whistle. We already know his origin: his escape from Krypton, arrival on Earth, life on a farm with Jonathan (Pruitt Taylor Vince) and Martha Kent (Neva Howell), and his evolution into a reporter at the Daily Planet, where he shares space and romance with Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan). Lois—like most of humanity—opposes Superman’s involvement in a war between the militarized nation of Boravia and the defiant citizens of Jarhanpur. Clark asserts he didn’t act on behalf of his adopted country, but rather as a well-meaning figure with no political agenda.
Enter Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), a tech mogul and arms dealer with personal stakes in keeping Superman out of the conflict. He manipulates public opinion against the hero and won’t stop until his nemesis is gone for good.
The film touches on immigration, and yes—this time Gunn dips his pen into political commentary. Citizens are overtaken by hatred and misunderstanding toward those who seem “different.” Echoes of the Israel-Palestine conflict surface in the narrative; both Superman and the nation of Jarhanpur are the underdogs—so who will help them when the time comes?
Gunn clearly has a vision for this Superman—placing obstacles in his path to present a physically all-powerful but emotionally vulnerable hero who makes mistakes, wrestles with decisions, and can be hurt. Unfortunately, the film takes too long to let Superman truly soar, bogged down by a clutter of unnecessary supporting characters and shifting tonalities that muddle narrative clarity. A Marvel alumnus, Gunn can’t resist inserting jarring “funny” moments that undercut the stakes.
Visually, this is arguably Gunn’s least polished work—especially compared to his Guardians of the Galaxy films. The aesthetic borrows from comic books and the ‘90s animated series, but it fails to produce a single frame worthy of framing—no memorable shots that might show a new generation why this Superman matters (you’ll notice this especially during flight scenes).
That said—it must be acknowledged: this Superman has enough personality to belong in today’s world. He’s imperfect, emotional, driven by a desire to help others even when it costs him. Henry Cavill filled the suit physically; Corenswet fills it emotionally. He’s hard to reject. His chemistry with Brosnahan is strong, though her character is underserved by a script that limits her despite her bold presence. Hoult’s Lex Luthor, while solid, drifts toward caricature, overexplaining his motives.
The Justice Gang shows up, too, including a bumbling Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), a fierce Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), and Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), who ends up stealing scenes.
James Gunn’s "Superman" (2025) was predicted to be a game-changing storm for the DC Universe—but it’s more of a morning breeze. Its tonal imbalances and overreach may wear out audiences. DC has entrusted Gunn with leading its film division—this Superman should keep flying, but with tighter, more grounded ideas.
And really—when are we getting a Krypto movie? That might’ve been more interesting.